Is the Book of Judith in the King James Bible?
Yes — it was included in the Apocrypha of the original 1611 KJV, between Tobit and the additions to Esther. Most modern KJV editions omit the Apocrypha.
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The Book of Judith — Free PDF Study Guide
A clear, scholarly introduction to the Book of Judith — the sixteen-chapter narrative of the beautiful, devout Jewish widow of Bethulia who, when the Assyrian general Holofernes besieges her city, walks into his camp, charms him at a feast, and beheads him in his tent. Judith was included in the Apocrypha of the original 1611 King James Bible and remains canonical for Catholics and Orthodox.
An original Bible Sundays study companion. The full 1611 KJV text of Judith is included in our free KJV Apocrypha PDF, which contains all fourteen Apocryphal books bound in the original King James Bible.
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Inside this PDF
- Length
- 2 pages
- File size
- 0.00 MB
- Format
- Searchable PDF
- Access
- Free, no account
- Plot walkthrough — siege of Bethulia, Judith's mission, the beheading
- Judith's great prayer (chapter 9) and victory hymn (chapter 16)
- How the book stands behind Mary's Magnificat in Luke 1
- Status in the 1611 KJV, Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant canons
- Five passages every reader should know
What you get
Plot walkthrough — siege of Bethulia, Judith's mission, the beheading
Judith's great prayer (chapter 9) and victory hymn (chapter 16)
How the book stands behind Mary's Magnificat in Luke 1
Status in the 1611 KJV, Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant canons
Five passages every reader should know
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What is the Book of Judith?
Judith is a sixteen-chapter dramatic narrative composed in Hebrew in the second century BC and preserved in the Greek Septuagint. It tells the story of a beautiful, devout Jewish widow of the town of Bethulia who, when the Assyrian general Holofernes besieges her city, prays, fasts, dresses for the part, walks into his camp, charms him at a feast, and beheads him in his tent with his own sword. The Assyrian army panics; Israel is delivered.
Is the Book of Judith in the King James Bible?
Judith was included in the Apocrypha of the original 1611 King James Bible, immediately after Tobit. It is canonical Scripture for Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox. The Westminster Confession (1647) excluded it from the inspired canon for Protestants, while Article VI of the Anglican Articles of Religion permits its use 'for example of life and instruction of manners.'
Why this book matters for Bible readers today
Judith stands with Esther and Ruth as one of the great Old-Testament-era heroines, and the book's courage-in-weakness theme runs straight through the New Testament: 'God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty' (1 Corinthians 1:27). Judith's victory song (chapter 16) and the high priest's blessing — 'thou art the exaltation of Jerusalem, thou art the great glory of Israel, thou art the great rejoicing of our nation' — stand clearly behind Elizabeth's greeting and Mary's Magnificat in Luke 1.
Frequently asked questions
Is the story of Judith historical?
The opening chapter conflates centuries of Assyrian and Babylonian history (calling Nebuchadnezzar the king of the Assyrians, ruling from Nineveh), leading most scholars to read it as historical fiction with a strong theological message.
Did Judith really behead Holofernes?
Within the world of the book, yes; whether the story records a real event is debated. Either way the book's purpose is to glorify the God who delivers his people through a weak and unexpected instrument.
Why isn't Judith in the Protestant Bible?
The Reformers followed Jerome in distinguishing the Hebrew Old Testament books from the Greek-only books, which they classed as Apocrypha. Judith survives only in Greek, with no surviving Hebrew text.
When was Judith written?
Most scholars date the composition to the second century BC, probably in the Hasmonean period after the Maccabean revolt.
Does the New Testament refer to Judith?
There are no direct quotations, but Mary's Magnificat in Luke 1 echoes the language of Judith's victory hymn and the high priest's blessing in chapter 15.
Where can I read the full text of Judith?
The complete 1611 KJV translation of Judith is included in our free KJV Apocrypha PDF, which contains all fourteen Apocryphal books bound in the original King James Bible.
Can I share this study guide?
Yes. This Bible Sundays study guide is free to share for any personal, ministry, or educational purpose.
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Biblical names and their meanings
Every name below appears in the King James Bible. Each page gives the meaning, the verse it appears in, and who carried it in Scripture.
- ZionHighest point; Fortress; Holy city
- AbigailFather of joy
- AbrahamFather of many nations
- AdamMan; Earth; Red earth
- AndrewManly or brave
- AnnaGrace or favor
- ArielLion of God
- ArielLion of God
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